Melanie McFarland has her finger on the pulse of the television remote. The networks, the premium channels, the great shows you love and the asinine shows the rest of America watches … she knows what's on. If you have a question, e-mail her at tvgal@seattlepi.com.

NBC picks up “Life” and “Chuck”

A better explanation is that “Chuck” and “Life” are showing creative promise and, better yet, perform quite well in that attractive 18-to-49 demographic. Last night’s “Chuck,” in particular, was a great indicator that the series really is picking up. And if you haven’t watched “Life” lately, I suggest you check in.

Still no word on “Journeyman,” but NBC might as well dismember “Bionic Woman” and donate her circuits to science.

BURBANK, Calif. — November 26, 2007 — NBC has picked up the freshman dramas “Chuck” (Mondays, 8-9 p.m. ET) and “Life” (Wednesdays, 10-11 p.m. ET) for nine more episodes — or the balance of the 2007-08 season — it was announced today by Ben Silverman, Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios.

“‘Chuck’ and ‘Life’ stand out in a crowded TV landscape because they are smart, well-produced series with incredibly talented casts,” said Silverman. “Both shows are hitting their stride creatively, have developed loyal audiences and offer unlimited potential to grow throughout the season.”

“Chuck” is averaging a 3.4 rating, 9 share in adults 18-49 and 8.4 million viewers overall this season. “Chuck” has been delivering competitive results in the Monday 8-9 p.m. (ET) slot and has increased its adult 18-49 rating from half-hour to half-hour with each of its nine Monday telecasts to date. “Chuck’s” average 3.1 rating in adults 18-49 for the November sweep has kept NBC on pace with its rating in the time period during last May’s sweep with “Deal or No Deal.”

“Life” is averaging a 3.0 rating, 9 share in adults 18-49 and 8.0 million viewers overall for the season to date. With its November 14 telecast, “Life” retained its full adult 18-49 lead-in from “Bionic Woman” for the first time and attracted its biggest overall audience in four weeks. Season to date, “Life” is winning its competitive time period among men 18-34 opposite CBS’s “CSI: Miami” and ABC’s “Dirty Sexy Money.”

From Rand Ravich (“The Astronaut’s Wife”), Far Shariat (“Confessions of a Dangerous Mind”), and Dan Sackheim — who directed the pilot of NBC’s “Heroes” — “Life” is a first-year drama about a detective who is given a second chance. Damian Lewis (“Band of Brothers”) stars as complex, offbeat Detective Charlie Crews, who returns to the force after years in prison, thanks to close friend and attorney Constance Griffiths (Brooke Langton), after serving time in prison for a crime he didn’t commit.

“Life” is a Universal Media Studios production. Rand Ravich is executive producer and writer; Far Shariat and Dan Sackheim are executive producers on the series.

From executive producer, Josh Schwartz (“The O.C.”) and executive producer-director McG (“Charlie’s Angels,” “We Are Marshall”) comes “Chuck,” a one-hour, action-comedy series about Chuck Bartowski (Zachary Levi, “Less Than Perfect”) — a computer geek who is catapulted into a new career as the government’s most vital secret agent. When Chuck opens an e-mail subliminally encoded with government secrets, he unwittingly downloads an entire server of sensitive data into his brain. Now, the fate of the world lies in the unlikely hands of a guy who works at a Buy More Electronics store. Instead of fighting computer viruses, he must now confront assassins and international terrorists.

With the government’s most precious secrets in Chuck’s head, Major John Casey of the National Security Agency (Adam Baldwin, “My Bodyguard”) assumes the responsibility of protecting him. His partner is the CIA’s top agent (and Chuck’s first date in years), Sarah Walker (Yvonne Strahovski, “Gone”). They’ll try to keep him safe by trading in his pocket protector for a bulletproof vest. Also starring are Joshua Gomez (“Without a Trace”) as Morgan Grimes, Chuck’s best buddy, and Sarah Lancaster (“What About Brian?”) as Chuck’s ever-supportive sister, Ellie.

Josh Schwartz and Chris Fedak wrote, “Chuck,” which is produced by College Hill Pictures, Wonderland Sound and Vision, in association with Warner Bros. Television.